General News
Local Software Not Good Enough for Aviation Sector – Adekitan

Adejare Adekitan, head, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) notes that Africa’s aviation sector lags in IT application.
He is a Computer Engineering graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Adekitan stressed the need for a comprehensive ICT package in aviation handling business in Nigeria.
He spoke to peter ugwu.
Assessment of ICT in Nigeria Aviation Industry
Although we can boast of fantastic developments in the industry in Nigeria lately, I would stress that African countries are lagging behind in the comity of aviation nations.
And Nigeria is no different.
But relatively, we are moving on compared to the way we were in the last 10 years.
The emphasis for sometime now is how we can safeguard passengers that are traveling by air.
If we must achieve this, two things we must not overlook are human capacity development and deployment of modern ICT equipment.
We have seen cases where these hi-tech equipment are installed and abuse becomes inevitable because the people meant to man them are incompetent.
Even IATA has stressed that airlines can use opportunities in ICT to grow their finances.
There is so much ICT software application we could use to manage the aviation sector; unfortunately, we don’t seem ready to apply the right remedy to our situation.
Overview of SAHCOL ICT
The major focus is to enhance, sustain or maintain the technical functions of the company.
And also to contribute towards elevating the company even beyond international ICT benchmarks in cargo and aviation handling viz-a-viz delivering service that are profitable to both parties comprising the company and her numerous public.
All areas of our operations are computerized.
Warehouse ICT installations
We have installed some ICT equipment like security base gadgets – the CCTV that covers the warehouse surroundings.
The installations were informed by the fact that our warehouse can not be out area surveillance tools, essentially to prevent or detect abnormalities.
Beside that most operations that take place within the warehouse are automated. Our operation starts the moment goods arrive at our tarmac.
So, ICT presence is critical in this aspect of business.
For instance, if you have a cargo, it needs to be captured and once that is done, it makes the rest of the process very convenient for the parties involved.
We could recall that when Sifax Group took over SAHCOL in December, 2009, one of the immediate promises made by the chairman, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi to customers and the public is the re-fleeting of the company.
In January 2010, we placed order for some units of ground handling equipment from various manufacturers in Europe and America.
And since March, 2010 we have installed equipment like Commander 15i, Commander 30i, Smart steps, Push back, Tractors, Mobile Belt Loaders, Airstarter Units, Baggage Tractors, Ground Power Units, amongst others.
This is to buttress management’s resolve to improve on services rendered to the public as it affects safety.
Cargo Tracking Gadgets
Currently, we are pursuing a process that can aide anyone track movement of his cargo in any part of the world through our tracking equipment.
We have also acquired internationally recommended software that can aide us in spotting cargo; in essence we can interact with counterparts in other countries in checkmating movements of cargo, so that any cargo company can send signal to and from us through the deployed infrastructure.
Other areas like passenger service are also computerized.
There is what we call the common user terminal equipment (CUTE), deployed for terminal operations.
With this device, as we are checking a passenger here in Lagos or in any airport that we carry out this duty in Nigeria, data records are transmitted to the passenger’s destination even before their arrival.
Although there are few areas that are still handled manually, especially in documentation, we can say to a very large extent at SAHCOL that our ICT compliance level has improved tremendously.
In addition to that, ICT is dynamic; as changes occur we would continue to harness the opportunities inherent ICT and automation processes as we are determined to contribute our quota towards Federal Government’s airport transformation agenda.
Successes
The automation has helped a lot.
It has enhanced cargo clearing; gone are the days cargo clearing are delayed due to inept practices or human interference.
It has even helped in reducing cases of losing cargo on transit.
Without mincing words, it is a global phenomenon that aviation industry can only grow its financial earnings through ICT compliance.
In other words, SAHCOL today can say it has benefited from computerizing its operations.
SAHCOL Aviation Security (SAS)
Yes, SAS is a specialized platform through which we provide services for airlines in the areas of control and supervision of access to check-in zones; passport control and detection of fake international passports/travel documents; security questioning/profiling and protection and control of luggage chain from check-in to aircraft.
Other aspects of the initiative include reconciliation between boarding pass and passenger identification; X-ray control for hand luggage and magnetic detection for passengers; supervision of aircraft zones and loading/offloading of aircraft and reconciliation of passengers and luggage in transit.
These are part of efforts to ensure maximum and passenger safety are maintained within our nation’s airports.
Data Security
We have made concerted efforts in securing our data, especially from external (cyber) attacks.
That does not mean that the internal arrangements are porous, because we know that some attack from external bodies are orchestrated from within, therefore, we have made efforts to secure our data.
Apart from the software we installed, we do carry out frequent back up and maintenances. The make sure our data are secured within and offshore.
Locally Developed Software
We have tried using some of them, but we discovered that the capacities are not enough to drive our programme.
This industry is very sensitive and not everything can fit into what we are doing, especially for security purposes.
Some of them are yet to meet international standards, which is the reason for foreign software used in most companies in the country.
There is a need for government to encourage our local productions to meet world standards, by putting enabling infrastructure in place.
By the time the standards are heightened government can show example by mandating its ministries, departments and agencies to patronize the local developers.
The truth is that we have youths who have interest in that aspect of national development.
But at present we don’t even have an incubating centre; many of our tertiary institutions offering ICT related courses are either ill-equipped or the equipment are archaic.
It may be a shocker to you that only about ten per cent of local software developers have shown interest in aviation.
If they have done that, perhaps we could have seen a way to help out. Therefore, 90 per cent of software used in the sector is imported.
Power challenges
I want to believe that since the Sosoliso crash few years back, the airport managers (Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria – FAAN), has done a lot of thing to plug incessant power outages. Although it was only recently we learnt the air crash was as result of power outage.
Especially in Lagos, a lot of things are been done. I had opportunity to be at the Control Tower, of which they recently installed new gadgets to back up their systems in times of power failure.
Of course, the Control Tower has to be powered 24 hours of the day. My assessment of the situation is that there are improvements in critical areas.
Human development
Permit me to emphasis that it amount to wrong approach for us to believe that our challenges are over, once equipment are in place, without individuals with the technical knowledge to handle them.
The two are married together. However, we cannot do without human error in an industry like this.
But for us to minimize such errors constant training and awareness campaign must not be ruled out.
There are certain areas that human capacity development can be compromised without it showing much in the operations of such industry, but in a technical field like aviation, we can not trade it for anything.
For instance, when the Dana air crash happened, the first eyebrow raised was human error.
To set example, as we are in the period of expansion, every staff of SAHCOL is expected to master ICT equipment usage.
Cargo handling Industry
Well, cargo handling is not different from Nigerian aviation industry.
Before now, the Nigerian Aviation industry was a passenger-driven sector. The focus was largely on proceeds from passenger air travels.
But today, the business model has the ability to satisfy the yawning of travelers who are not far from those engaged in global supply chain.
The sector contributes immensely to the economic development of the world and Nigeria in particular.
So, we are working towards increasing our cargo base, constructing a new warehouse. Nowadays, e-ticking or booking is the order, we are working towards perfecting that aspect of our operation.
General News
Teenager Hacks Celebrities Whatsapps, Sells Adult Content in Delta

Delta State Police Command has revealed how a 17-year-old boy allegedly hacked into celebrities’ WhatsApp accounts and sold explicit adult content to classmates.

This was disclosed in a viral video shared by comedian Otaghware Onodjayeke, popularly known as I Go Save, during a security awareness programme where he spoke with Temi Agbede-Zuokumor, divisional police officer (DPO) of Ugborikoko Division, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
The DPO explained that the case came to light after a routine check of a student’s phone, which first raised suspicion.
Agbede-Zuokumor disclosed that the student’s mother had initially claimed the phone belonged to his sister, but further inspection revealed otherwise.
“The woman looked very modest, so I asked her if she was from Deeper Life. She said no. I then asked why her son took a phone to school, and she claimed it belonged to his sister,” she narrated.
The DPO expressed that the development triggered her suspicion, prompting officers to examine the phone’s contents.
“Something told me to check the phone. When we did, we discovered that everything on the device belonged to the boy,” she said.
She added that the phone contained over 80 foreign numbers, including Australian contacts, alongside numerous explicit materials.
“We saw several foreign numbers, over 80 Australian lines, and the phone was filled with pornographic content,” she said.
The police officer further disclosed that the suspect allegedly sold explicit materials to his classmates, who referred to him as “boss.”
“We also saw chats with his classmates asking if he had explicit content to sell. They were calling him ‘boss’ in school,” she added.
According to her, investigations also revealed that the teenager had hacked into WhatsApp accounts belonging to prominent individuals and used them to solicit money.
“We discovered he had access to WhatsApp accounts of some celebrities, which he used to demand money from unsuspecting victims,” she said.
Speaking during the session, comedian I Go Save recounted a similar experience, describing how he was once contacted by a suspected fraudster impersonating Elon Musk, Forbes world richest man.
“That was how someone impersonating Elon Musk messaged me, saying he was stranded and needed a recharge card,” he said.
“I was surprised and asked which network he used. The person later sent an Opay account,” he added.
The police warned parents and school authorities to be more vigilant, stressing the growing concern of cyber-related crimes among young people.
General News
SERAP Asks Tinubu to Probe Alleged N2.9Bn Fraud In NIGCOMSAT, NNRA

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, as well as the management of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), to account for and explain the whereabouts of an alleged ₦2.9 billion in missing or diverted public funds.

SERAP also called on Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged diversion of funds, including those documented in previous Auditor-General reports.
In a letter dated April 11, 2026, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director SERAP, said: “These allegations, involving critical public institutions, represent a grave violation of the public trust and a fundamental breach of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws and international obligations.”
The group further urged the Federal Government to direct NIGCOMSAT to disclose the shareholders and beneficial owners of a company that allegedly received ₦465 million in “unauthorised investment” from the agency.
SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing or diverted public funds should be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
The organisation gave the government seven days to comply, warning that it may initiate legal action if its demands are not met.
It also stated that accountability in both agencies is critical, given their strategic roles, saying: “Accountability in NIGCOMSAT and NNRA is critical given their strategic roles in Nigeria’s digital economy and national safety systems. Mismanagement in these agencies not only wastes scarce public resources but also threatens national development, technological progress, and public safety.”
SERAP added: “Ensuring accountability is therefore essential to protecting both Nigeria’s present and its future.”
It warned that failure to address the allegations would continue to erode public trust, stating: “These allegations, if left unaddressed, will continue to undermine public confidence in government institutions, weaken Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework, and deprive citizens of resources needed for development.”
The allegations were drawn from the Auditor-General’s report published on September 9, 2025, which examined financial activities in NIGCOMSAT and NNRA and raised concerns over possible mismanagement of public funds.
According to the report, NIGCOMSAT failed to account for over ₦465 million used for an “unauthorised investment” in Gicell Wireless Ltd, made without approvals from the Minister of Science and Technology and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
It also noted that “there was also no evidence that a competent Investment Analyst performed investment appraisal,” while the investment agreement raised concerns over valuation and exchange rate assumptions.
The Auditor-General further stated that “NIGCOMSAT made ineligible, irregular and wrong payments of over ₦3 million to staff,” and that “the payment was made without due process and any documents on what the payments were meant for.”
It also flagged an irregular rent payment of over ₦4.3 million, noting that although a refund was requested, “there was no evidence that the consultant refunded the money.”
It added that NIGCOMSAT “failed to remit over ₦507 million of its internally generated revenue to the Consolidated Revenue Fund,” while also failing to account for over ₦6 million for undelivered store items.
The report further stated that “there was also no evidence of how the transferred funds were spent or utilised,” referring to an irregular ₦84.78 million transfer from a Remita account to a special project account.
On NNRA, the report alleged that ₦4.35 million was spent on training without evidence that it took place, while ₦16.7 million was paid for ICT equipment without approval.
It also stated that ₦33.4 million was spent on items that were never supplied, and that “there were no documents to support” several payments for operational activities.
The Auditor-General further noted that NNRA “failed to retire over ₦6.5 million of cash advances granted to staff,” and that ₦2.05 million paid for foreign training had no evidence of participation.
It also stated that ₦1.95 million collected through Remita was not recorded in the agency’s cashbook, leading to concerns of revenue understatement.
SERAP said the findings point to “a systemic pattern of financial mismanagement, opacity, and corruption within an agency entrusted with advancing Nigeria’s digital and communications infrastructure,” adding that NNRA’s lapses also raise serious concerns about compliance with safety and financial regulations.
General News
IHS Nigeria Renovates, Upgrade Facilities at the National Museum Lagos

IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (“IHS Towers”) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has partnered with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to renovate and upgrade facilities at the National Museum, Lagos.

Commissioned by the Honorable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, the project is a significant step towards restoring and improving critical facilities at the museum complex, while supporting the long-term preservation of Nigeria’s cultural assets and heritage.
The project has improved the overall aesthetic appeal of the museum site and featured extensive restoration of the museum’s main gallery. The restored gallery incorporates the installation of modern display and lighting systems, air‑conditioning units, a solar inverter system to enhance energy efficiency, and surveillance cameras to aid safety, security and operational performance across the facility. These renovations and upgrades follow on from IHS Nigeria’s sponsorship of the museum’s efforts to digitize Nigeria’s cultural heritage and launch Nigeria’s first digital museum of antiquities at www.museum.ng.
Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, commented, “Having seen the rich historical and cultural heritage housed in this national museum complex, we believed it was important to go a step further after supporting the development of the digital museum, to also improve the aesthetics, security and structural integrity of the main physical complex. This aligns with our broader commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and the preservation of Nigeria’s history.
“I am proud of these renovations and that visitors, including tourists, researchers and art enthusiasts, can visit the museum to be immersed in Nigeria’s rich history in an environment that is safe, beautiful and welcoming.
“The artifacts can also now be better preserved, protected and presented in a way that celebrates the history they represent. I thank the National Commission for Museums and Monuments for this ongoing partnership which continues to exemplify the power of a collaborative effort in driving innovation, fostering national pride, and enhancing the creative economy.”
Olugbile Holloway, Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, commented, “On behalf of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, I wish to express our deepest gratitude to IHS Nigeria for their generous support of the restoration of the National Museum, Lagos. This landmark gesture goes far beyond bricks and mortar — it is a profound commitment to preserving the soul of our nation.
“The National Museum Lagos is home to some of Nigeria’s most treasured antiquities, from the ancient terracotta of the Nok civilization to the magnificent bronzes of the Benin Kingdom and the classical works of Ife.
“To restore this institution is to restore our collective memory. We thank IHS Nigeria for choosing to renew not just infrastructure, but the heritage, identity, and the hope of our people. Their support ensures that generations of Nigerians yet unborn will walk through these halls and encounter the full greatness of who we are and where we come from.”
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